Golf accessory caddy

ABSTRACT

A caddy for securing golf or other accessories therein and attaching to a beverage container insulating device that is sometimes carried while golfing. The golf accessory caddy includes a carrier having a fastener and housing with mounting provisions that enable various configurations of accessory arrangements. The fastener allows the caddy to be removably or permanently affixed to various designs of beverage container insulating devices. Preferred and alternate embodiments include design features that provide motion-based advertising opportunities for golf, automotive, and casinos to name a few.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present application includes subject matter disclosed in and claimspriority to a provisional application entitled “Golf Accessory Caddy”filed Apr. 29, 2022 and assigned Ser. No. 63/336,613, describing aninvention made by the present inventor, herein incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to accessory holders. The presentinvention specifically relates to a device for holding golf or otheraccessories, whereon the device secures to a support such as a beverageinsulating sleeve, a pocket, a book, or other article that may be usedwhile enjoying a round of golf.

2. Description of Related Prior Art

There are various accessories golfers need to assist them during a roundof golf. These accessories range from ball markers and golf tees toscorekeepers and starters (a device used to randomly determine thetee-off order before any honors have been established). Whether walkingor riding in a cart, the space and storage options for golf accessoriesare limited. Efficient use of space and storage options demands that thefunctions of the items that are carried be optimized. One way tomaximize storage opportunities is by centralizing or combining thefunctions of various accessories into a single item or location.

There are numerous devices in the marketplace and in prior art that areperfectly suited to keeping and storing accessories for use during agame of golf. As any golfer knows, the time spent waiting for thegolfers playing ahead of you often far exceeds the time that is spentinteracting with one's golf ball. So, the time between golf strokes isoften spent in conversation or engaging with various other devices thatutilize the aforementioned limited storage space.

In light of the devices disclosed in the known art, it is submitted thatthe present invention substantially diverges in design elements andconsequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for animprovement for a golf accessory holder that optimizes the availablestorage opportunities. In this regard the instant inventionsubstantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF TIE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a novel golf accessory holder that canbe hosted by a beverage container insulating device, a pocket, a book,or similar. The golf accessory caddy generally consisting of a carrierthat enables attachment to a beverage container insulating device orsimilar and may also store one or more golf accessories. The preferredembodiment of the golf accessory caddy incorporates a ball marker andutilizes a ball bearing, spring, an outcome wheel, and an actuator thatdrives a mechanism to create random outcomes for activities where chanceplays a role, such as a starter, while also providing the mountingprovisions to attach the golf accessory caddy to a beverage containerinsulating device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described with greater specificity andclarity with reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a golfaccessory caddy removably attached to a beverage container insulatingdevice that is deployed over a beverage can.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front perspective view, rear perspective view andright-side view of a golf accessory caddy.

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of a golf accessorycaddy.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a golf accessory caddy.

FIG. 4A is an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of a golfaccessory caddy.

FIG. 5 is a front plan view of a housing with integral carrier clip.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 .

FIG. 5B is a top plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 .

FIG. 5C is a rear plan of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 .

FIG. 5D is a left-side plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 .

FIG. 5E is a right-side plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 .

FIG. 5F is a bottom plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 .

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternate housing embodiment withseparable carrier clip.

FIG. 6A is a side cross-section of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 withinstalled carrier clip.

FIG. 7 is a front plan view of a partially assembled golf accessorycaddy.

FIG. 8 includes three views of an embodiment of the present invention,including a top plan view of the actuator arm of a golf accessory caddy(center), a bottom plan view of the same (left image), and across-section view of the same (right image).

FIG. 9 is a top plan view (center) and four additional views of anactuator shuttle of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the actuator shuttle mounted to theactuator arm.

FIG. 11 is a front plan view of a partially assembled golf accessorycaddy.

FIG. 12 is a pair of front plan views illustrating the movement of theshuttle actuator for a golf accessory caddy.

FIG. 13 includes three views of a golf accessory caddy wheel, includinga top plan view (left), a cross-section side view (center); and a bottomplan view (right).

FIG. 13A is a front plan view of a partially assembled embodiment shownin FIG. 13 .

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of a golf accessory caddy.

FIG. 14A is a side cross-section of the embodiment shown in FIG. 14 .

FIG. 15 includes a front plan view of an alternate embodiment golfaccessory caddy (top left), a bottom plan view of the same (Bottomleft), and a right-side plan view of the same (top-right).

FIG. 15A is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG.15 .

FIG. 16 is a side cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of agolf accessory caddy.

FIG. 16A includes is a rear perspective view of the embodiment shown inFIG. 16 (at left) with a front exploded perspective of the same (atright).

FIG. 17 is a side cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of agolf accessory caddy.

FIG. 17A is a rear perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 17 ,with a front exploded perspective of the same (at right).

FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a golfaccessory caddy.

FIG. 18A is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG.18 .

FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of a golf accessory caddy withbeverage container and beverage container insulator.

FIG. 20 is a collection of perspective views of different embodiments ofa beverage container insulator.

FIG. 21 is a collection of front perspective views of an alternateembodiment of golf accessory caddy mounted to different embodiments ofbeverage container insulators.

FIG. 22 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a golf accessorycaddy.

FIG. 22A is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of agolf accessory caddy.

FIG. 22B is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of agolf accessory caddy.

FIG. 22C is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of agolf accessory caddy with clip.

FIG. 23 includes a partially transparent rear perspective view of abeverage container insulator embodiment (left), and a rear perspectiveview of an alternate embodiment golf accessory caddy mounted onto anembodiment of beverage container insulator (right).

FIG. 24 is a side cross-section view of an alternate embodiment golfaccessory caddy mounted to an embodiment of a beverage containerinsulator.

FIG. 25 is a front perspective view of an alternate embodiment golfaccessory caddy mounted to an embodiment of a beverage containerinsulator.

FIG. 26 is a front perspective view of an alternate embodiment golfaccessory caddy mounted to an embodiment of a beverage containerinsulator.

FIG. 27 is a front perspective view of an alternate embodiment golfaccessory caddy.

FIG. 27A is a side cross-section view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 27.

FIG. 28 is a front perspective view of an alternate embodiment golfaccessory caddy.

FIG. 29 is a front perspective view of a partially assembled alternateembodiment golf accessory caddy.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TIE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of oneor more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singularforms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural formsunless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be furtherunderstood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used inthis specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps,operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by onehaving ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Itwill be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonlyused dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and thepresent disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overlyformal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number oftechniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefitand each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in somecases, all of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sakeof clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possiblecombination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion.Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with theunderstanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope ofthe invention and the claims.

A new golf accessory caddy and combination golf accessory caddy andbeverage container insulating device are discussed herein. In thefollowing description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specificdetails are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding ofthe present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled inthe art that the present invention may be practiced without thesespecific details.

The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of theinvention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specificembodiments illustrated by the figures or description below. CertainFigures demonstrate alternative embodiments. The reference to a specificitem when discussing a certain Figure may be determined by reference tothe same item in an alternative figure.

The present invention will now be described by referencing the appendedfigures representing preferred and alternate embodiments includingtechnical details on the function. FIGS. 1 through 3 depict variousviews of a preferred embodiment of the golf accessory caddy, 100, andthe golf accessory caddy system, 1000, including a golf accessory caddy(heretofore referred to as “the caddy”), 100, and a beverage containerinsulating device (heretofore referred to as “the insulator”), 30, thefigures thus illustrating the caddy being removably attached to theinsulator which is commonly used to maintain the temperature of thecontents held within the beverage container, 40. The most common versionof the insulator, 30, is a flexible foam-based fabric sewn or formedinto an open-ended sleeve that slides around the periphery of a beveragecontainer. Whereby the natural elasticity of the insulator, 30, holdsthe curved clip, 110D, of the caddy, 100), against the external side ofthe beverage container, 40, providing both vertical and horizontalsupport for the caddy, 100, during removal and replacement ofaccessories such as a golf ball marker, 160. An alternate embodiment ofthe caddy may be configured for accepting accessories, metallic ornon-metallic, other than those used while playing golf, accessories suchas coins, tokens, keys, and the like. FIG. 4 is a collection of explodedperspective views of the components for the preferred embodiment, 100,and an alternate embodiment, 101. The preferred embodiment employs ahousing with integrated carrier clip, 110, whereas the alternateembodiment employs a housing, 115, configured to accept a separablecarrier clip, 105, comprising a mounting provision 105A. Otherwise thetwo embodiments utilize the same components in the same assembly order.FIGS. 5 and 5A introduce the housing, 110, including the upper stop,110A, which limits the upward travel of the actuator arm, 125, whenreleased by the user. Other features of housing, 110, include theengagement slot boss, 110B, which hosts the engagement path slot, 110G,which is used to control the timing of engagement and separation betweenthe actuator shuttle, 130, and the wheel, 145. The design of theengagement path slot, 110G, can be optimized such that the follower,130, disengages from the gear, 145A, at the point of highest rotationalvelocity thereby maximizing the opportunity for the greatest number offree rotations of the wheel, 145. Although a cam with meshed followerarrangement is proposed for the preferred embodiment, there are otherways to impart a rotational impulse to an object that results in aperiod of free-rotation for the object, they include, but are notlimited to the following: cam-follower with rotating friction element inmomentary contact with the object to be spun, cycling an electricalmotor, transferring the stored energy of a wound linear spring as iscommonly found in badge holders, additionally magnetic coupling can beused to generate rotation. While the source of the rotational energy isvaried, one common component is the bearing, 135, that suspends theobject being rotated. The bearing, 135, (rolling element (ball bearing),sleeve, or hydrodynamic) is a low-friction mechanism particularlydesigned to conserve rotational momentum. Once the rotational energy hasbeen applied, the free rotation that results provides the perception ofchance or randomness. The better the bearing/journal relationship, thefreer the resulting rotation thereby providing a better experience forthe user.

Continuing with features of housing, 110, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 5A,etc.) the spring catch, 110C, which prevents rotation of the drivespring, 120, during winding, the central key slot, 110E, which providesalignment and mounting features, and the integral carrier clip, 110D,which serves to removably mounting the caddy, 100, by preferably settingthe integral carrier clip, 110D, over an upper edge, 30T, of insulator,30. Additional feature of housing, 110, may include the housing frontface, 110F, with bearing mount, 110H, which establishes the centralrotation axis of the caddy, 100, while integral spacing boss, 110J,provides vertical space from face 110F to mount internal components.Drive spring hub, 110K provide a washer, or space for baring mount.Actuator arm slot, 110L, may be used to locate and limit the travel ofactuator arm, 125 (See FIG. 11 , etc.). Continuing with FIG. 5B,curvilinear shape of the housing rear mount, 110M, is shown in profile.Also shown with curvilinear profile is the integrated carrier clip rearface, 110N, of the integrated carrier clip, 110D. FIG. 5C highlights amounting provision, 110P, to mount clip onto caddy housing body. Housingrear face, 110R, is shown partially occluded by clip 110D which ismounted thereon. Figure SD demonstrates a curvilinear shape of theintegrated carrier clip front face, 110S, with the center of the clip(1100) recessed towards housing 110, and edge 1101 shown towards thecontainer receptacle (not shown) with which to mate the clip. FIG. 5Eintroduces the housing side slot, 110L, in side of housing 110, whichenables the actuator arm, 125, to protrude from the side of the caddy.100. FIG. 5F presents a top plan view of previously introduced featuresof housing, 110, without actuator arm.

Beverage containers have been standardized by the bottling industry withthe three most common beverage containers of interest being, the12-ounce aluminum can, 40, the 12-ounce glass bottle, 41, and the12-ounce aluminum seltzer can. 42. Although all three hold the samevolume of fluid, they each have a different outer diameter. Although notnecessary, in the preferred embodiment of the caddy, 100, both thecarrier clip front face, 110S, and the carrier clip rear face, 110N, ofthe integrated carrier clip, 110D, and the face of the housing rearmount. 110M, emanating from housing rear face, 110R, of the housing,110, are curvilinear in shape using a nesting strategy based on theradii of the target beverage container outer diameter and wall thicknessof the insulator to ensure the most stable fit at all three interfaces.To reduce tooling and manufacturing costs it may be possible toimplement a single design utilizing a common family of curvatures thatwill provide an acceptable fit for all styles of beverage containers.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of an alternate embodiment housing,115, wherein the alternate embodiment clip, 105, is a separate componentwith mounting provision, 105A (see FIG. 6A). The housing and clip, 105and 115, may be joined by adhesive, magnetism, or welding. FIG. 6A is across-section showing the mounting arrangement. In the preferredembodiment the major components used to manufacture the caddy, 100,being primarily produced using injection molding processes and equipmentwith ABS, Polyoxymethylene (POM) or other suitable plastic material. Theinsulator is made from various types of lightweight insulative materialsuch as foam or fabric, its design well known to those skilled in theart. There are also beverage container insulting devices constructed ofthermoplastic resin and even metals. An alternate embodiment of thecaddy, 200, incorporates an adhesive patch, 210, to enable permanentlyor semi-permanently affixing the caddy alternate embodiment, 200, to ahard-sided beverage container insulating device, 32. Although otheraccessories can be successfully stored on the caddy, 100, or any of thealternate embodiments, golf tees and ball markers are the only twoaccessories incorporated in this discussion. The design, materials, andmanufacturing commonly used for metallic ball markers and golf tees arewell known to those skilled in the art and are therefore not discussedfurther.

As shown in FIGS. 7-10 , assembly begins by installing the drive spring,120, over the drive spring hub, 110K, then being vertically supported bythe housing front face, 110F (See FIG. 5A, etc.). To prevent springrotation a preferably hooked end 1020 of the drive spring. 120, isbrought against emanating cylindrical boss spring catch, 110C, leavingthe free end of the drive spring, 120, to be wound by the user usingactuator arm, 125. The features of the actuator arm, 125, include acentral bore, 125B, which rotatably mounts over the integral spacingelement, 110J, a spring depression, 125C, which creates the verticalspacing envelope for the drive spring, 120, to operate within, the pairof spring guides, 125D, are used to prevent the spring from slippingbeneath the actuator arm, 125, during winding or release and actuatorshuttle post, 125A, which slidably mates with the actuator shuttle, 130.FIG. 9 highlights the functional aspects of the actuator shuttle, 130,they include the actuator shuttle drive post, 130B, which meshes withthe teeth of gear profile, 145A, of wheel, 145. Additionally, theengagement slot post, 130A, which locates in and is guided by theengagement path slot, 110G, that is hosted within the engagement slotboss, 110B. Finally, as seen in FIG. 9 etc., the actuator shuttleaperture, 130C, which enables the actuator shuttle, 130, to slidablymount over the actuator shuttle post, 125A, of actuator arm, 125, andthe actuator shuttle bottom face. 130D, the assembly is shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 11 continues the assembly process for the caddy, 100, thecombination actuator arm, 125, and slidably mounted actuator shuttle,130, are simultaneously guided through the housing side slot, 110L, andover the bearing mount, 110H, ensuring that the body of the drivespring, 120, is captured in the spring depression, 125C, with the freeend of the drive spring, 120, being located between the pair of springguides, 125D, of actuator arm, 125. In the same motion ensuring that theengagement slot post, 130A, is located within the engagement path slot,110G, with the actuator shuttle bottom face, 130D, resting on theengagement slot boss, 110B. At this point, the actuator arm, 125, isable to rotate about the bearing mount, 11011, to wind and thus storepotential energy within the drive spring, 120. Simultaneously, theactuator shuttle, 130, is moved along the engagement path slot, 110G, bythe actuator arm, 125, whereby the profile of the engagement path slot,110G, slidably moves the actuator shuttle drive post, 130B, in-to andout-of mesh with the gear profile, 145A, of wheel 145, the assembly atthis phase is shown in FIG. 11 .

FIG. 12 illustrates the movement relationship between the actuatorshuttle, 130, and the actuator arm, 125, as the actuator arm, 125, isrotated clockwise from the unloaded upper position, the actuatorshuttle, 130, moves inward from the disengaged outer position to theengaged inner position, the movement being along the dashed arrow leadershown in both views of FIG. 12 (from left image to right image of FIG.12 ). In continuing assembly of the caddy, 100, the shield, 140, whichis also driven by the actuator arm, 125, and serves to keep the housingside slot, 110L, covered for aesthetic and protective purposes isinstalled as shown in FIG. 13A. Continuing, a bearing, 135, is lightlypressed into the bearing pocket, 1451B, of wheel, 145, coming to restjust below the upper rim of the bearing pocket, 145B, of the wheel, 145,and captured therein by slight deformation of the material of the wheel,145, that surrounds the outer race on the exposed face of the bearing,135. Continuing then, the wheel, 145, with installed bearing, 135, islightly pressed over the bearing mount, 110H, coming to rest on theintegral spacing boss, 110J, thereby grounding the inner race ofbearing, 135, to the housing, 110, while the outer race of the bearing,135, with the attached wheel, 145, is free to rotate independently.Detail A of FIG. 13A illustrates the engagement that occurs between theactuator shuttle drive post. 130B, and the gear profile, 145A, of wheel145. The energy that has been stored in drive spring, 120, by rotatingthe actuator arm, 125, in a clockwise manner is now available fortransfer to the wheel, 145, after the user releases the actuator arm,125. Upon release, a portion of the springs stored potential energy isused to generate rotation of the wheel, 145.

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of a fully assembled golf accessorycaddy, 100. FIG. 14A illustrates completing the assembly of the caddy,100. As shown, the accessory holder, 150, incorporates a positivecentral mounting provision designed to mate with the recessed centralkey slot, 110E, of housing 110, with the middle shoulder of theaccessory holder. 150, coming to rest on the top portion of the innerrace of bearing, 135, essentially trapping the bearing, 135, between theinternal spacing element, 11W, and the middle shoulder of accessoryholder, 150. The upper portion of the accessory holder, 150, comprisinga recess wherein the magnet, 155, and the metallic ball marker, 160, arenestably mounted with the ball marker, 160, occupying the outermostposition.

Referring now to FIG. 15 , etc., a collection of plan views thatillustrate the exterior features of an alternate embodiment, 600, of thecaddy. The upper-left image depicts a front plan view of an alternateembodiment hosting two accessories, a golf tee, 180, along with amagnetically captured metallic ball marker, 160. The upper right imageis a right-side plan view of the same, while the lower-left imageillustrates the continuation of a nested curvilinear surface strategyfor both the housing rear mount, 165M, and the integral carrier clip,165N. The caddy alternate embodiment, 600, utilizes user intervention tocreate rotation of the wheel, 145, via the incorporated bearing. 135.Tee holder, 175, is designed to slidably accept and hold a golf tee,180, through tensile gripping as the golf tee, 180, is slid inside thetee holder, 175. As in the preferred embodiment of the caddy, 100, thebearing, 135, is affixed within the bearing pocket. 145B, of the wheel,145. Continuing then, the wheel, 145, with installed bearing, 135, islightly pressed over the bearing mount, 165H, coming to rest on theintegral spacing boss, 1651, thereby grounding the inner race ofbearing, 135, to the housing, 165, while the outer race of the bearing,135, with the attached wheel, 145, is free to rotate independently. Asin the preferred embodiment of the caddy, 100, the assembly is completedby engaging the positive central mounting provision of accessory holder,150, with the recessed central key slot feature, 165E, of the housing,165. Again, the upper portion of the accessory holder, 150, comprising arecess wherein the magnet, 155, and the metallic ball marker, 160, arenestably mounted with the metallic ball marker, 160, occupying theoutermost position. The novel addition of a bearing, 135, brings forthnumerous opportunities for rotationally based functions. The wheel, 145,being affixed to the outer race of the bearing, 135, continues to spinlong after the user has applied a rotational force to the wheel, 145.The free-spinning provides the element of randomness required forstarters or other games of chance.

Referring now to FIG. 16 , etc., the sectioned view in FIG. 16 detailsan alternate embodiment of the caddy, 200, where the separable carrierclip, 105, has been replaced by a disc of double-sided adhesive, 210,where one side is affixed to the housing, 115, thereby creating aversion of the caddy, 200, capable of being adhered to a metallic orother hard-sided version of the insulator, 32. There are a number ofdifferent adhesives that can be selected for permanent orsemi-permanently attaching the caddy, 200, to a hard-side type ofbeverage container insulating device. For a semi-permanent attachment,the adhesive patch may be made from commercially available strips orother double-sided adhesive products. More permanent solutions includethe use of mixable or pre-mixed epoxy, ultraviolet hardened epoxies, orstructural adhesives. The housing, 115, and adhesive patch, 210, may bemodified appropriately for fitment to the hard-side version of theinsulator, 32, being designed for cans, bottles, and slim cans. FIG. 16Aare two perspective views of the caddy, 200, illustrating the installedadhesive patch, 210, and the removable ball marker, 160, that isretained by a magnet, 155. Various forms of the magnet used to retainthe ball marker, 160, are provided in FIGS. 16 and 16A. A semi-circleshape cut from thin sheet magnet or a disc magnet are both viable andprovide different design and cost options.

Referring now to FIG. 17 , etc., the sectioned view in FIG. 17 detailsan alternate embodiment of the caddy, 300, that enables a permanent (orsemi-permanent) installation wherein the separable carrier clip, 105,has been replaced by a mounting post, 320, and the alternate housing,310, that includes a provision to accept mounting post, 320, replaceshousing. 110. The mounting relationship between housing, 310, and theinside surface of mounting post, 320, creates a slight clamping force tothe sidewall of the insulator thereby inhibiting movement of the caddy,300. This embodiment of the caddy, 300, requires a prepared version ofthe insulator whereby a positioned hole is cut through the sidewall ofthe insulator, 31, as shown in FIG. 23 . Both a hard-side version of theinsulator, 32, and soft versions, 31, 34, and 36 can be appropriatelymodified to accept the caddy, 300. Starting with an appropriatelymodified version of the insulator, the caddy. 300, sans mounting post.320, pilots into the prepared hole while the mounting post, 320, isinserted into the provision of housing, 310, from the inside of theinsulator and when the mounting post, 320, and housing, 310, are broughttogether a slight squeeze is imparted onto the sidewall of theinsulator. Once a beverage container, 40, 41, or 42, is inserted, thesidewall of the beverage container will nest with the rear surface ofthe mounting clip, 320, thereby providing a stabilizing force that willminimize extraneous movement of the caddy, 300, during use. The housing,310, and mounting post, 320, may be modified appropriately for fitmentto the insulator designed for different beverage containers includingcans, 40, bottles, 41, and slim cans, 42. FIG. 17A are two perspectiveviews of the caddy, 300, illustrating the alternate housing, 310, themounting post, 320, and the removable ball marker, 160, that is retainedby a magnet, 155. As in previous illustrations, the magnet, 155, is asemi-circle shape cut from thin sheet material.

Referring now to FIG. 18 , this figure illustrates and begins to detailan alternate embodiment, 400, of the caddy that combines a rotatingelement with provisions to store up to two standard golf tees, 180,additional accessories are possible, but not shown. A modification offace, 455, can be made to incorporate a magnet, 155, and a metallic ballmarker, 160. As shown in the exploded view, FIG. 18A, the design of thealternate embodiment, 400, of the caddy incorporates a housing subplate,420, that serves to trap the golf tees, 180, within the housing, 410,and also provides a centrally located mounting provision, 420H, for thebearing, 135, thereby creating a central rotation axis to enablesymmetrical spinning of wheel, 445. The design of mounting provision,420H, includes a central recess, 420E, that mates with an appropriatelydesigned central boss that grounds the face, 455, to the housing, 410,thereby preventing rotation of the face 455.

Referring now to FIG. 19 that illustrates a perspective view of analternate embodiment of the golf accessory caddy system, 2000, whereinthe insulator, 32, is a hard-side version and the caddy, 200, beingaffixed to the outside surface of the insulator, 32, with an adhesivepatch, 210. Many of the hard-side versions of the insulator, 32, have aremovable upper portion to facilitate replacement of an empty beveragecontainer. When the caddy, 200, is affixed to only the lower portion ofthe insulator, 32, the combination system, 2000, will operate asdesigned.

FIG. 20 illustrates details on different embodiments of the insulatorwith modifications that enable incorporation of present invention. Theinsulator embodiments, 30, 31, and 34, being prepared to accept thepermanent or semi-permanent installation of an embodiment of the caddy,300 (not shown). The various surfaces that may be used for supportingthe installation of the caddy are identified. The inner surface of thesidewall, 301, 311, and the outer surface of the sidewall, 300, 310,upper edge surface 30U, 31U, 34U, and the tertiary surface, 30T, 31T, atthe top and bottom of the insulator, as well as, in the sidewall at thethrough hole, the tertiary surfaces are created during the manufacturingor modification process of the insulator. Although the insulator, 34,for 12-ounce bottles is being shown with a horizontal slot prepared fora bottle version of the preferred embodiment, 500, the insulator, 34,may be just as easily prepared to accept a bottle version of alternativeembodiment of the caddy, 300, simply by altering the shape of thesidewall hole, with tertiary slit 341, and sidewall 341, and sidewall340. Finally, the insulator, 30, when paired with the preferredembodiment, 100, creates the golf accessory caddy system, 1000, asillustrated in FIG. 1 .

Referring now to FIG. 21 which illustrates two different versions of thegolf accessory caddy system. The golf accessory caddy system, 3000,comprises a bottle version of the insulator, 34, over bottle 41, thatincorporates a modification from the commercially available design toenable the hosting of an alternate embodiment of the caddy, 500,specifically modified for integration with the external dimensions ofthe standard 12-ounce bottle and the bottle version of the insulator.The golf accessory caddy system, 4000, comprises a slim-can version ofthe insulator, 36, over can 42, and is already capable of hosting analternate embodiment of the caddy, 600, specifically modified forintegration with the external dimensions of the standard 12-ounceslim-can and the slim-can version of the insulator.

Referring now to FIG. 22 which illustrates a few of the many designvariations possible with respect to the rotating portion of the caddy.FIG. 22 (top left) is a push-button version of the preferred embodimentwith pushbutton actuator 2200 whereby a spring-loaded rack-and-piniontype arrangement drives the rotation of the decorated wheel. FIG. 22Aillustrates a golf ball theme for the rotating element wherein a portionof the center 2201 remains fixed and can incorporate a logo therebymimicking a typical logo golf ball while the outer rotating portion canbe decorated separately. FIG. 22B illustrates the potential design of anautomotive themed golf accessory caddy with outer rim tire tread 2202.The rotating portion can be designed in look and feel to represent arubber tire. Finally, FIG. 22C is designed to be mounted to theinsulator, 30, from an opening found on the bottom, with dice faces 2203shown around perimeter of face.

Referring now to FIG. 23 that provides additional detail regarding theinstallation of alternate embodiment of the caddy, 300, first discussedin relation to FIG. 17 . As previously discussed, the insulator, 31, isprepared by cutting a hole through the sidewall creating the tertiarymounting surface 31T, wherein the mounting post, 320, and the caddy,300, will reside. As shown in FIG. 24 , once mated, a slight compressionat the inner, 311, and outer, 310, surfaces of the sidewall of theinsulator, 31, serves to hold the caddy, 300, in contact with theinsulator, 31.

Referring now to FIG. 25 where a perspective view of the completed golfaccessory caddy system, 5000, is provided. Although the manuallyoperated embodiment of the caddy, 400, is being shown (in thealternative, as described above, alternative caddy embodiments of 300,or even appropriately modified versions of the caddy, 700 or 800, couldalso be used in this configuration). FIG. 26 provides a frontperspective view of an alternate embodiment of the caddy, 600, removablymounted the upper surface, 30T, of insulator, 30,

FIGS. 27, 27A, and 28 illustrate two electrified versions of the caddy,800 and 900, that integrate on-board electrical power storage(batteries), electrical conduction circuitry, and commercial electricaldevices to provide the rotational functions of the present invention.Both illustrated alternative embodiments utilize commercially availableminiature cooling fans, 895, in mechanical communication with a wheel ordisc, 875 or 975, and in electrical communication with the on-boardbatteries, 865, and a momentary contact switch, 885, to provide therotation feature. The fans provide a pre-packaged, and very economicalmeans for electrically generating rotation of the wheel, 875 or 975. Bydesign, the fans incorporate very efficient bearings (ball, sleeve, orhydrodynamic) which enable the follow-on free-rotation that provides theaforementioned perception of randomness or chance.

FIG. 29 illustrates additional details for the two electrified versionsof the caddy, 800 and 900, that integrate on-board batteries, 865,electrical conduction circuitry, 855, a momentary switch 885, andcooling fan, 895, to provide the rotational functions of the presentinvention. Additional embodiments may include driving a series ofindependently spinning wheels to simulate the action of a slot machine.Additional electronic features are also possible, they may include:lights, speakers, switches, printed circuit boards, digital memory,audio recordings, audio playback.

While preferred materials for elements have been described, the deviceis not limited by these materials. Although the present invention hasplastics and various metal alloys, other materials may comprise some orall of the elements of the golf accessory caddy in various embodimentsof the present invention.

Although the present invention has been illustrated and described hereinwith reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof,it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art thatother embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/orachieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples arewithin the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplatedthereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims.

I claim:
 1. A golf accessory caddy adapted to mate with an insulator setat least partially over or around a beverage container, said golfaccessory caddy comprising: a. a carrier comprising a rear side and afront side separated along an axial line, b. a mounting element alongsaid rear side, said mounting element adapted with a support framemember coupled to said carrier and an extending member, said insulatorcaptured in a space between said support frame member and said extendingmember.
 2. The golf accessory caddy of claim 1 wherein the carrierfurther comprises a fixed circular or conical lever mount within saidcarrier, and a bearing mount nested into said lever mount.
 3. The golfaccessory caddy of claim 2 wherein said bearing mount comprises apolygonal shape with at least one side wall substantially planar andparallel said axial line.
 4. The golf accessory caddy of claim 1 furthercomprising a rotating wheel coupled to said carrier, said rotating wheelmounted on a lever mount via a bearing element, said rotating wheelcoupled to said bearing element, said rotating wheel comprising an innerface directed towards the rear side and a front face directed to saidfront side and an outer ring portion.
 5. The golf accessory caddy as setforth in claim 4 further comprising a torsion spring coupled to saidrotating wheel and biasing rotation of said wheel along said axial line.6. The golf accessory caddy as set forth in claim 5 further comprisingan actuator moving between a first and second position, wherein saidsecond position incorporates additional potential energy stored in saidtorsion spring, and upon release, said torsion spring biases saidactuator to said first position and transfers energy from said torsionspring to both of said actuator arm to cause said actuator arm to returnto said first position and said rotating wheel as rotational kineticenergy.
 7. The golf accessory caddy as set forth in claim 6 wherein saidactuator comprises a rotatable lever arm mounted around said levermount.
 8. The golf accessory caddy as set forth in claim 6 wherein saidactuator comprises a push bar coupled to said rotating wheel.
 9. Thegolf accessory caddy as set forth in claim 4 further comprising a powersource mounted within said carrier, said power source comprising abattery in electrical communication with an actuator having anactivation button, said actuator initiating a motor to rotate saidrotating wheel.
 10. The golf accessory caddy as set forth in claim 1further comprising a stationary ball marker on a rotating wheel coupledto said front side, said ball marker comprising a diameter less than arotating wheel diameter so that outer ring portions of said rotatingwheel are set around said ball marker, wherein the rotating wheel isarranged behind said ball marker adapted to rotate along the axial linewhile the ball marker remains stationary.
 11. The golf accessory caddyas set forth in claim 10 further comprising a partially circumferentialshield at least partially occluding portions of said rotating wheelouter ring portion.
 12. The golf accessory caddy as set forth in claim 1wherein said support frame is coupled to a beverage container.
 13. Agolf accessory caddy adapted to mate with an insulator set at leastpartially over or around a beverage container, said golf accessory caddycomprising: a. a carrier comprising a rear side and a front sideseparated along an axial line, b. a mounting element along said rearside, said mounting element adapted with a support frame member coupledto said carrier and an extending member, wherein a portion of saidinsulator is adapted to fit between said extending member and saidsupport frame member, said insulator captured in a space between saidsupport frame member and said extending member, c. said carrier housinga fixed circular or conical lever mount, said lever mount arrangedaround said axial line and directed towards the front side, d. a bearingmount nested into said lever mount; e. a bearing mounted onto saidbearing mount, said bearing in mechanical communication with a rotatingwheel, said rotating wheel comprising an inner face directed towards therear side and a front face directed to said front side and an outer ringportion with indicia along the circumferential edge of said front face.14. The golf accessory caddy as set forth in claim 13 further comprisinga torsion spring coupled to said rotating wheel and biasing rotation ofsaid wheel along said axial line.
 15. The golf accessory caddy as setforth in claim 13 further comprising an actuator moving between a firstand second position, wherein said second position incorporatesadditional potential energy stored in said torsion spring, and uponrelease, said torsion spring biases said actuator to said first positionand transfers energy from said torsion spring to both of said actuatorarm to cause said actuator arm to return to said first position and saidrotating wheel as rotational kinetic energy.
 16. The golf accessorycaddy as set forth in claim 15 wherein said actuator comprises arotatable lever arm mounted around said lever mount.
 17. The golfaccessory caddy as set forth in claim 15 wherein said actuator comprisesa push bar coupled to said rotating wheel.
 18. The golf accessory caddyas set forth in claim 13 further comprising a power source mountedwithin said carrier, said power source comprising a battery inelectrical communication with an actuator having an activation button,said actuator initiating a motor to rotate said rotating wheel.
 19. Thegolf accessory caddy as set forth in claim 13 further comprising astationary ball marker coupled to said front side, said ball markercomprising a diameter less than a rotating wheel diameter, wherein therotating wheel is arranged behind said ball marker adapted to rotatealong the axial line while the ball marker remains stationary, andfurther comprising a partially circumferential shield at least partiallyoccluding portions of said rotating wheel outer ring portion.
 20. Thegolf accessory caddy as set forth in claim 13 wherein said mountingelement comprises a mounting post.